Florida Adoption Laws, Page 6

Regulation of Adoption Expenses

Statute: § 63.097

Living expenses of the mother, including transportation, clothes and insurance.
Medical or hospital care received by the mother or minor.
Services related to the adoption.
Attorney and other professional fees.
A reasonable dollar amount is stated in the statute.

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Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed

Statute: § 63.097

Statute: § 63.097

A licensed agency, professional or any other person is due an amount equal to the cost of all services performed.

Statute: §§ 63.212(1)(c); 63.085

It is unlawful to sell or surrender a child to another person for money or anything of value.
The payment of expenses does not obligate the birth mother's consent.

Statute: § 63.097

The department may charge an amount equal to the cost of services, including the preliminary home study, investigator fees, counseling, and the final home investigation. Prior approval required for court costs over $800.
Payments for foster care preplacement and postplacement, social services agency facility and administrative costs.

Accounting of Expenses Required by Court

Statute: § 63.132

Petitioner and adoption entity must file an itemized affidavit of a full accounting of all disbursements for expenses, and any additional information the court requests.
Expenses which must be shown are stated in statute.

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)